Holly Zachariah The Columbus Dispatch @hollyzachariah

The teenager charged with 13 felonies in connection with a school shooting in Champaign County in January has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

The attorney for Ely Serna, who faces charges that include two counts of attempted murder and three counts of felonious assault, filed the paperwork in Champaign County Common Pleas Court earlier this week.

Serna's case was recently transferred from juvenile to adult court and, at his arraignment on June 15, defense attorney Dennis Lieberman hinted an insanity defense was his plan. Lieberman also is asking that statements Serna made to authorities which the prosecutor has called a confession immediately following the Jan. 20 shooting at West Liberty-Salem High School be thrown out.

Serna, 17, is accused of sneaking a shotgun into the school that morning and shooting fellow student Logan Cole twice, critically wounding him. Detectives said Cole was not the intended target but apparently surprised Serna in the bathroom just after Serna had pulled on a mask and was preparing to exit with his gun. Authorities have never publicly detailed Serna's plan or motive.

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Another student suffered a minor wound from a ricocheting pellet when Serna fired into the hallway and into two classrooms.

One of the attempted murder charges is for Cole's injuries. The second is for teacher Greg Thomas who heard the gunshots in the bathroom and ran to see what was happening. Authorities say Serna fired at him but missed.

The insanity plea now kick-starts a series of mental evaluations.

Champaign County Common Pleas Judge Nick A. Selvaggio has set a trial date for Aug. 21. The judge said he wanted the trial finished before the new school year begins so that the district can put the incident behind it.

hzachariah@dispatch.com

@hollyzachariah

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Teen charged in West Liberty school shootings enters insanity plea - The Columbus Dispatch